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  4. CBP's Air and Marine Operations Unveils New Coastal Interceptor Vessel

CBP's Air and Marine Operations Unveils New Coastal Interceptor Vessel

Release Date
Thu, 09/15/2016

WASHINGTON– U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Air and Marine Operations (AMO), celebrates the unveiling of its next generation Coastal Interceptor Vessel (CIV) with multiple events throughout the D.C. area including a Capitol Hill congressional operational demonstration, a media day, and two static displays at CBP headquarters and at the Department of Homeland Security.

CBP Air and Marine Agents ride new Coastal Interceptor Vessel
Air and Marine agents aboard new Coastal
Interceptor Vessel.

“We are excited to share this new vessel with our stakeholders, including those on Capitol Hill, within our Department, and the American public whom we serve and protect,” said Executive Assistant Commissioner for AMO, Randolph D. Alles.

AMO’s Marine Interdiction Agents will operate the CIV in coastal waters to combat maritime smuggling and defend the waterways along our nation’s borders from acts of terrorism. The vessel will provide agents with additional speed and maneuverability, and improve comfort and safety. It is equipped with a state-of-the-art marine navigational suite.

AMO currently operates a fleet of high-speed interceptor vessels which are approaching the end of their service life.  The new CIV will incorporate technological advances in hull design, safety equipment and electronics packages, to enhance operational effectiveness. AMO’s contract with SAFE Boats International will allow for delivery of up to 52 vessels.

The history of AMO’s marine program dates back to 1789 when the United States established the U.S. Customs Service and deployed a fleet of vessels to patrol U.S. coastal waters and prevent the smuggling of contraband. AMO’s newest CIV, the Alexandria, is named after one of the early Department of Treasury collectorships. 

Today, AMO has approximately 1,660 federal employees, including 1,200 federal agents, 240 aircraft, and 300 marine vessels operating throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Last Modified: Jun 06, 2022